We thought it would be fun to take the family on a nature walk. There's a park by us that has a wooded path and explains the different leaves and trees as you walk. The kids had a good time. It was fun to spend some family time together and enjoy nature. The path ended up at the Wolf River Creek, which we didn't even know existed. Not only did we learn a little more about nature, but we had a good Sunday outing together as a family. 
In order to fund a new playground, Tara Oaks Elementary hosted a tiger walk to raise money. The walk gives the students a chance to feel involved and get excited about getting a new playground. Each class walks and dances to music for 30 minutes. The parents come and walk with them. It's a fun, little event and hopefully we get our new playground.
Danny, we hope you had a good birthday. Danny is Dave's brother who is currently in pilot training for the Navy in Pensacola, Florida. He is married to Amy and she works at an animal hospital. Danny and Amy currently have two dogs and I'm working on talking them into the kid thing.......right Amy? As I posted in an earlier blog, we had the chance to visit them in August at their home in Pensacola, and had a good time. They have been assigned to a new location in Texas. Good luck on selling your home and we'll see you two soon.
This ended up to be one of our best games yet. The score was 26-18 Raiders. Carson made three touchdowns and did one while catching an interception and running it down for the score. This picture above of Dave is pretty funny. Most of you know Dave is a big time stresser and this just defines it. Sidenote- Is he looking thinner to any of you?????? The other picture is of one of our cute, little cheerleaders. She loves being a cheerleader and is the only girl who really speaks up. I just had to add this picture because she makes me smile. 
Those of you who know Dave and his brother's know that they are each full of personality and are very good at making others laugh. I am posting this to let Scott know he is favorite brother right now. He is the only sibling (including my own) that has ever commented on my blog. They have always made me laugh out loud. Scott is Dave's brother that lives in Atlanta and practices law. He is married to Kim and has a little boy (almost 2) Blake. Scott and Kim have been married for about a two and half years. Scott is a very hard worker and I know has a very stressful job. Kim is more dedicated to Blake than any mom that I know. They are both wonderful people and very kind to me and my family too. That's one of the joys of marriage. Not only do you get a great spouse but great family members too. So Scott and Kim this blogs for you. Thanks for being great in-laws and we'll see you soon. 
Last night we played the Steelers. It definitely wasn't our teams proudest moment. The score was 0-26. I didn't realize how attached to these players and this game I have become and it was hard to watch the little guys loose and to be so disappointed. Carson did his best though. Dave was out of town but gave me a pre-game pep talk to give to Carson knowing they were playing a good team. He let Carson know that even Superbowl champions don't go undefeated and that it has actually only happened one time in the history of the NFL and that was the Miami Dolphins in the 70's. Mom is learning lots about football and a little trivia at the same time too. Carson has fun and loves the game, his teammates, and his coach, and that's all that matters.
Today my brother Reiley will celebrate his last birthday in the mission field. He has done such a good job and has been such a great example to the people he has touched in Houston. I can't wait to see him next month. I'm counting down the days. I think there's just something about him being the youngest in the family that has got us all so excited for his homecoming. I don't really have a recent picture of him, just this one of him getting ready to leave the MTC but he hasn't changed much. This other picture is both my brother Aaron and Ryleigh. This is where my sweet, little Ryeligh Erin got her name from. She was named after her two uncles. I love this picture because it totally tells their personalities. Very humble, can't you tell? LOL. Reiley Happy Birthday. We love you tons.
Ryleigh with her cousin Collin
So when we first bought this house there weren't many things I wanted to change right away except for the shiny,green fireplace and the terracotta(salmon) walls. Just weeks after we moved in the walls were painted and then the dreaded fireplace came next. It wasn't awful but it just didn't match the furniture that I wanted. So after a year of waiting for our anticipated pay raise we finally got moving on redecorating our home. I had a tile man come out and give me a bid on my fireplace of almost a thousand dollars so with the help of my Mom and her friend we decided I could fix it on my own. I started by priming, puttying, and painting, and I think it turned out pretty good. It's a cheaper version to tile but it does the job for me. I do have "before and after" pics but the before were taken with a disposable camera so I don't have those on my computer. There is a huge difference though. Thanks to my Mom for all of her great ideas. She is so good at what she does that I never question her I just write down a "TO DO" list, save up for it, and buy it. Dave is actually very patient and accepting too because he knows from experience that she always makes our home look very nice. Thanks Mom, and yes, I love the chair!
My friend and visiting teacher Shauna Cameron helped me out a ton yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment and she was so willing to help watch my girl's. She took these pics and I just had to add them to my blog because I think Ryleigh looks so funny with her big princess crown on. The girl's had a good time. I owe you Shauna!
My sweet sister Alyson sent me this Cookies By Design bouquet today. Alyson thank you so much. You are one of the most thoughtful people I know, always looking out for others. You definitely brightened my day. Thanks for being such a wonderful sister. Love Ya!
I hate to say it, but we're one of those lame families that didn't do much for the holiday weekend. Thank goodness for neighbors who were the same. We are so used to it always being a vacation around here that we tend to forget Carson gets the school day off. With Dave having a killer schedule we've always been spoiled enough to be able to kind of do whatever. So...next year we'll have to start some better traditions. I remember as a kid a few of my friends just knew they were going camping or up to a cabin for Labor day. I would like to start doing the same. As I said thank goodness for neighbor kids though. We were lucky enough to move across the street from the Collier family. They have children the same exact ages as ours. It's perfect. I think it was meant to be. I would have gone crazy here without their family. Lisa Collier is definitely my rock here. She lets me vent to her and I hope I give her the same back. She is the one in the picture above that I am sitting next to. This is her 40Th birthday at P.F. Chang's. Thanks Lisa, you guys are the best.
The Collier Family and ours-
